Every new Premier League season throws up an array of surprises. As the new season kicks off on Friday with reigning champion Liverpool hosting AFC Bournemouth, expectations are soaring high. All 20 clubs have made promising signings, with the Premier League being the biggest spender in the top five European leagues. While Liverpool will look to defend the title after signing some marquee players, the challenge ahead is tougher than ever.
While some complained of the league becoming easier as the Reds won last season with 84 points and second placed Arsenal finished 10 behind, part of the blame was put down to the decline of Manchester City. However, it’s the teams in mid-table contention who’ve become stronger, making it difficult for the title challengers.
The Big Six
Though the idea of the ‘Big Six’ has become irrelevant with the emergence of teams like Newcastle United, Aston Villa, Nottingham Forest, and many more trying to catch up to that position, in terms of money, it’s the richest clubs since 2010; Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham who make up the group.
This transfer window is quite significant to prove why the ‘Big Six’ is still a dominant force in the league. About 39% of the intra-league moves have been these six clubs acquiring players from the rest of the teams. This is the highest share since 2010.
Arsenal, with three consecutive second place finishes, needed to fill in the last piece to the puzzle. Despite trying midfielders Kai Harvertz and Mikel Merino as strikers, and at times succeeding in the process, it was evident that it needed a traditional striker.
Now, having signed one of the promising talents in Europe, Viktor Gyokeres, it’ll hope to complete the puzzle. Apart from this, the signing of Martin Zubimendi, who can control the game and provide key passes into the final third, is quite the upgrade on Thomas Partey, who departed the club this summer.
The one upgrade the Gunners would’ve liked to have is a left-winger who can break the defensive lines when the opposition sits on a low block. Gabriel Martinelli will likely start at that position but he finds it difficult to break the defensive lines as manager Mikel Arteta emphasises on a high-press possession-based game from his players.
Nevertheless, this Arsenal team looks stronger than last season on paper and only time can tell whether it can lift that prestigious trophy.
Chelsea, with refreshing energy after winning the Club World Cup, has made some crucial signings. Its recruitment strategy in the last two years have raised eyebrows and questions abound whether the amount spent on new signings has yielded fruitful results.
Well, some have succeeded and some have not. But the Blues seem to have understood that the modern game demands a lot of physical attributes and their signings have focused on players with those profiles. Romeo Lavia, Moises Caicedo, and plenty more who had a higher duel winning percentage were signed.
This transfer window, Chelsea has stuck to signing young talent while there have been a lot of outgoings too. On paper, Chelsea looked like the best team last season. However, its attack heavily relied on Cole Palmer’s heroics.
This year, having signed Joao Pedro, Liam Delap, and Estevao, Palmer can relax a bit. Pedro has already shown what he can offer in front of goal in the Club World Cup and in the few friendlies Chelsea played.
THE GIST
All 20 clubs have made promising signings, with the Premier League being the biggest spender in the top five European leagues
The teams in mid-table contention have become stronger, making it difficult for the title challengers
Arsenal looks stronger than last season on paper and only time can tell whether it can lift that prestigious trophy
Liverpool, having broken the bank on Florian Wirtz and others, will try to replicate what it achieved last season with even more intensity
Guardiola will hope to change things for City after last season’s disappointment and probably leave the job on a high-note as his contract is up by 2027
Apart from this, Chelsea has the strongest bench strength in the league, which can help in resting the main players in other domestic games. The one point to be noted is that this squad has a lot of youngsters — who may lack the experience, but brim with untamed energy.
Liverpool, having broken the bank on Florian Wirtz and a host of other signings, will try to replicate what it achieved last season with even more intensity. In the few glimpses from the friendlies this season, its attack looks fluid.
However, defence is a concern as it conceded 11 goals in six matches. It looks vulnerable while losing possession, making it easier for the opposition to counter in 1v1 situations. One of its back-up centre-backs Jarell Quansah left, leaving no other senior players to cover that position. Although head coach Arne Slot said that centre-back is not an area of concern, according to reports, Liverpool is working on signing two central defenders, including Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi.
However, signing players is merely the opening act, to form chemistry and cohesion among the players is still a task to build a balanced squad.
Manchester City, the most successful club in this decade, took a back seat last season after the unfortunate injury of its anchoring midfielder Rodri. Despite spending a whopping £180m mid-season, the second highest for a January transfer window by any club, it was not at its best. While this raised questions about Pep Guadiola’s tactics, City showed significant improvement in the friendly against the Italian side Palermo.
Guardiola is a perfectionist and there is no room for mistakes. Likewise, he’ll hope to change things for the club and leave the job on a high-note as his contract comes to an end by 2027.
Manchester United, the club which has been in the process of a rebuild for more than a decade, found itself in its worst nightmare last season. The new manager Ruben Amorim took time to settle in and will hope to change the course of things this season with its revamped frontline.
Top attackers like Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo, Benjamin Sesko have preferred to join the team which finished 15th in the league without any European game-time. That’s how strong United’s pull is. It had areas of concern on all sides of the pitch. It especially looked vulnerable with its back-three approach, making it easier for the opposition to kill on transitions. Now that United has addressed its attacking concerns, it’ll have to sharpen its defence and midfield to grab a spot to play in the Champions League next season.
Tottenham, after a trophy drought of 17 years, won the Europa League last season. This gave it a boost to change its morale and mentality. However, manager Ange Postecoglou was sacked. This reflects that the management wants the club to compete for the title as it finished just one position above relegation.
The new manager Thomas Frank, who had a successful stint at Brentford, has already made a mark with commendable signings. All areas look like they are sorted and some of the potential signings, as per reports, could alter the course of the club. Spurs could be the dark horse this season.
The ascending ones
The idea of the traditonal Big Six is disrupted because of the rise of clubs like Villa, Bournemouth, Palace, Newcastle and Forest. While there are a few others who can compete, these clubs stand out for their recruitment process and strategy on the pitch.
However, these are the teams that have over-performed in the last season and may find it difficult to replicate what they have achieved. The teams have also seen more star outgoings than incomings. Well, that is the case with every other club out of the Big Six.
While Newcastle tries not to lose its players, the transfer saga of Alexander Isak may affect the training of other players. Palace and Forest, with reports of key players departing or wanting to, leaves them in a tough spot to compete at the highest level. Bournemouth has almost lost its entire backline to bigger clubs and manager Andoni Iraola has a hue task at hand to rebuild it.
Mid-table contenders
In a competition like the Premier League, even the mid-table contenders trouble the big clubs. This slate has teams like Brighton & Hove Albion, Brentford, Everton, Fulham, and Wolves.
Brighton and Brentford could potentially fight for a Europa League or Conference League spot, but the the constant selling of young talent by the former and the departure of Frank to Spurs for the later have put a cap on the two taking the next step up.
Everton, after a disappointing start last season, bounced back with the re-appointment of David Moyes mid-season. Moyes led Everton to three consecutive Premier League wins early on. This streak helped stabilise Everton’s league position and created a nine-point gap from the relegation zone at one point. Fulham and Wolves have not made a mark in the transfer market yet. This could leave them on the back foot, offering an open invitation to the opposition to run the show.
The promoted teams
The Championship winner Leeds United played a possession-based game with narrow wingers. However, that might not work against the English giants and it has to make some tactical tweaks to stay in the Premier League.
Burnley, having taken the exactly opposite route of Leeds, was comfortable sitting on a low block and scoring on counters. The team played 12 goalless draws last season. This has sometimes worked for newly promoted teams. Forest under Nuno Espirito Santo relied on a similar approach. Only time will tell if this gamble keeps Burnley’s Premier League torch burning.
Sunderland, after a dramatic win to secure a place in the Premier League, seems like a team that wants to capitalise on the promotion. According to Transfermarkt, it has spent £130 (including add-ons), making it the seventh-highest spender in this transfer window. The promoted teams who’ve spent big have always had fruitful results and Sunderland will look to follow that path.
